Matamata Tuesday Trackwork

Captain Cook Stakes candidates Brave Centaur and Viadana got the tick of approval for Saturday's big race when they galloped at Matamata this morning.

Working solo on a good plough, Brave Centaur (Dowling) set off at an even gallop to record 1:20.2 for 1200m, with his last 1000m in 1:05 and 600m in 37.6. The Lance Noble-trained gelding, who looks very bright, was under a strong hold at the line.

Stablemate Viadana (Dowling) was partnered by Waitoki Flower (R Jones) in a similar task, cutting out 1200m in 1:19.8, 1000m in 1:05.3 and 600m in 38.5. Viadana has come through her last start second in pleasing condition and should offer decent opposition for the quality field she meets at Trentham.

Ellerslie weekend candidates Persuasive (Coleman) and Kaleidoscope (Blair) caught the eye in their work over 1000m in 1:03.4 and 600m in 36.7. Persuasive has trained on well from her last start win, while Kaleidoscope didn't have much luck in her most recent outing.

Undisclosed (P McKay) looked in good order for Saturday's Concorde Handicap when he and Kick Buttowski (S McKay) cut out 1000m in 1:02.5 and 600m in 36.5. Our Essence (Sapsworth), who runs at the Ellerslie twilight meeting next Wednesday, got through her work well over 1200m in 1:20.8, 1:05.1 and 37.2.

Impressive last start winner Pikachu (J Collett) worked stylishly over the same ground in 1:20.8, 1:04.6 and 36.3, while Pride And Passion (Hercock) returned 1:21.3, 1:04.9 and 36.9. Silk Chardonnay (P Turner) ran smart time of 1:16.6, 1:02.8 and 37.8.

Milan Miss (Cameron) and Cajero (Hercock), likely runners at Waipukurau on Sunday, got through sound work over 1200m in 1:18.4, with the last 1000m in 1:03.8 and 600m in 36.3. Beauty Perception (Leveque), a weekend entry for Ellerslie, strode over 1200m in 1:21.1, 1:06.6 and 39.5. King's Fortune (S Wong) travelled up well at the end of his work over 1000m in 1:07.6 and 600m in 36.4.

NZ 2000 Guineas runner-up Chambord (Hercock) was allowed to run his last 1000m in 1:10.2 and 600m in 40.5. Lifeline Express (Forbes) rolled into his work well over 1000m in 1:09.8 and 600m in 40.7. The unraced Zabeel colt, who beat Chambord in a Te Teko spring trial, has come in for strong support on the early fixed odds New Zealand Derby market. Trainers Paul and Kris Shailer have his debut planned for the Matamata meeting on December 18.

Strike Back (Coleman) and Political Nitemare (Blair), unraced Derby entries from the O'Sullivan-Scott stable, shaped up over 1000m in 1:07.2 and 37.7. Where It Began (C Ormsby) flattened out well over the final stages of his work over 1200m in 1:26.2, 1:10 and 39.4. Hot Rod (Forbes) ran the same trip in 1:23.7, 1:08.5 and 39.2, while Exabelle (Hercock) returned 1:20.7, 1:05.3 and 36.8.

Money Maker (M Brosnan) left 1000m behind in 1:08.5 and 39.4, while Little Chief (Roff) clocked 1:04.5 and 37.2, Choice One Jonesy (H McQuade) took 1:05.8 and 39.5, Taaxman (Gillies) 1:09.2 and 41.4, and Forefront (Forbes) 1:10.5 and 41.4. Stella's Honour (C Ormsby) and Valdivia (P Ormsby) were timed over 1000m in 1:06.2 and 600m in 38.6

Cristal Heights (Leveque) and Keep In Tune (S Wong) put the pace on in the early stages on the way to running 1200m in 1:17.4, 1000m in 1:02.8 and 600m in 38.3. Annie Higgins (Dowling) was not after time over 1200m in 1:28.8 and 42. She has come through her Counties Cup win in good order and is on target for the Waikato Times Gold Cup on Saturday week.

Long Beach (Cameron - main picture) strode through 1200m in 1:22.8, with his last 1000m in 1:07.2 and 600m in 37.6. Tiger Moss (P Turner) ran over the same ground in 1:20.2, 1:06.4 and 39.7, Le Bon Fin (Holmquist) took 1:22, 1:07.6 and 39.8, and Ira Bean (McRae) was kept to 1:29.2, 1:12 and 41.2.

Wisecrack (K Jones) caught the eye on the all-weather track, where he ran the last 1000m of his work in 1:02.8 and 600m in 36.2. Pussy O'Reilly (B Grylls) was keen to go faster over the final stages of 100m in 1:11.3 and 41.2. Fix (K Jones) looked bright in her first piece of striding work since returning from fetlock chip surgery.

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